Lent I - Small Group Questions

If you were unable to be with us on Sunday you can listen to this sermon here.

Mt 4:1-11
1. Share a memory you have around a time you realized that Christianity 'is not a religion for wimps.'
2. Can you recall a time - during Lent or otherwise - when you felt as if you were in spiritual training? What motivated you? (or was it thrust upon you!) How did you feel as you emerged from this 'training' on the other side? How did it affect your relationship with God?
3. Mtr. Mary made the point that our devils are not obviously evil. Can you recall a time when you thought something was good and right only to discover that it was wrong and/or evil? How was this revealed to you? How did you extricate yourself? or make it right?
4. Jesus' ability to resist the temptations of the devil came from his trust in his baptism. Can you recall a time when you doubted that you were God's beloved child? Do you still find it hard to believe? How might your life look different if you could fully live into the reality that you are God's beloved child? How would it feel?
5. We create distance between God and us when we try and do things in our own powers and abilities instead of trusting, and being obedient to, God. Can you recall a time when you tried to force a situation to fit your will, instead of waiting for God to reveal his will? How do you think things might have been different if you had been able to trust God more?
6. Lent is a season in the church when we commit to being even more intentional about our relationship with God. How are you spiritually training this Lent? How might this increase your trust of God?